Archive for September 2009

This is such a powerful, moving and extremely important talk to listen to…. again, and again, and again….Here is some fragments from the talk that ought draw your significant attention, and should be seriously looked over!

There came into my mind the warnings spoken by the prophets. We willnot always be safe from the adversary’s influence, even within our ownhomes. We need to protect our nestlings.In order to do that, we must first acknowledge that Satan, the devil,lives; what his purposes are; what his intentions would be; and whatour defenses should be.He was lying in wait in the Sacred Grove when the boy Josephentered. No doubt Satan was hoping to forestall the Restoration. He wasan “actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as[the boy Joseph] had never before felt in any being” (JS-H 1:16).

A Dangerous World

We know that we are spirit children of heavenly parents here onearth to receive our mortal bodies and to be tested. We live in a verydangerous world that threatens those things which are spiritual. Thefamily, the most fundamental organization of the Church, is underattack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. Hisobjective is to cause injury to the family. If he can weaken anddestroy the family, he will have succeeded.The scriptures tell us, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are notable to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroyboth soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).We also know that the prophets have said that Satan cannot take onesparrow, or one finch, out of our nest unless we permit it. (3)

Perilous Times Have Come

Paul warned Timothy and warns us. (Notice how perfectly this warning describes what is going on around us now.)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,blasphemers, disobedient to parents [let me repeat that — “disobedientto parents,”], unthankful, unholy,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [2 Timothy 3:1–7]

These verses serve as a warning, showing us the patterns to avoid. We must be ever watchful and diligent.But Paul also gave us the key to our protection. Speaking in thesame chapter, he identified healing power in this small phrase: “From achild thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make theewise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy3:15).

In 2 Nephi we are warned:

Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! [2 Nephi 28:24–27]

Moroni spoke of the wickedness of the secret combinations and thewicked men to come among us. He warned us that they would be with us inour day and said:

When ye shall see these things come among you that ye [should] awake to a sense of your awful situation. . . .

Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write thesethings that evil may be done away, and that the time may come thatSatan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, butthat they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may comeunto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved. [Ether 8:24, 26]

A Pattern in All Things

Do we need any more evidence to understand that we are at war withthe adversary? The revelations teach us how to win this spiritual war:

And again, I will give unto you a pattern in allthings, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land,and he goeth forth deceiving the nations —Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. [D&C 52:14–15]

God Is Our Father

From the accounts of the Council in Heaven we learn that God is ourFather, and we are His children.5 We would do well to always rememberHim as our Father. We are instructed to address Him as “our Fatherwhich art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).

Our Father delegates to His priesthood leaders a commanding authority to preach, to teach, to minister, and to bless.

Those with a Body Have Power over Those Without

Joseph Smith taught that “wicked spirits have their bounds.” Now listen carefully:

Wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and lawsby which they are governed or controlled. . . . It is very evident thatthey possess a power that none but those who have the Priesthood cancontrol. (6)

Joseph Smith also taught a principle crucial in importance thateveryone, particularly those holding the priesthood, should fullyunderstand. He said:

We came to this earth that we might have a bodyand present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The greatprinciple of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has nobody, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtainthe tabernacle of man. . . .

All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not [let mesay that again—“all beings who have bodies have power over those whohave not”]. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. (7)

Satan cannot seduce us by his enticements unlesswe in our hearts consent and yield. Our organization is such that wecan resist the devil; if we were not organized so, we would not be freeagents. (8)

Moral Agency

The agency defined in the scriptures is a “moral agency,” which means that we can choose between good and evil.

That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining tofuturity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him,that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day ofjudgment. [D&C 101:78]

We feel free to choose our actions and our responses to life’sevents and challenges, but we are not free to choose the consequencesof those actions.

Tolerance Can Become a Vice

I must say something about tolerance. Tolerance is a virtue, but,like all virtues, when exaggerated it transforms itself into a vice.The permissiveness afforded by the weakening of the laws of the land totolerate acts of immorality does not reduce the serious spiritualconsequences that result from the violation of God’s law of chastity.

Let me say that again: We who have bodies have the power andauthority over those who do not. And we are free to choose what we willand to pick and choose our acts, but we are not free to choose theconsequences. They come as they will come.

Alma taught that “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the leastdegree of allowance” (Alma 45:16). In order to understand, we mustseparate the sin from the sinner.

While “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree ofallowance,” He is not condemning everyone because of sin. For example,when they brought Him a woman taken in adultery, obviously guilty, Hedismissed the case with five words, “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).That is the spirit and the letter of His ministry.

All Have the Light of Christ

We are born with the Light of Christ, a guiding influence which permits each person to recognize right from wrong.

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he mayknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; forevery thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe inChrist, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye mayknow with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil,and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye mayknow with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this mannerdoth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one;neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.[Moroni 7:16–17]

Teach yourself and teach your families about the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. [1 Corinthians 3:16–17]

We, brethren, as holders of the Holy Priesthood Posses The Power to thwart the work of the adversary, if we but stand righteous to use it, and consistently keep the commandments. That is why our Temple Covenants, and certainly all other Covenants we make with our Heavenly Father are so important to keep. We have the greatest Assurance from The Lord, when he said to Joseph Smith [Also given to Church in the “General Council” in Jacksson County, Missouri, April 26, 1832]:

“I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D & C Section 82:10)

Let us be righteous holders of the Priesthood, and we will ever be ready to Serve Our Lord!********************************************************Plainview Texas Branch; Lubbock Stake Announcements;

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Let us Pray and hope things go well for the survivors. May the Lord bless them all!

In the wake of tropical storm Ketsana, 23 Church members in thePhilippines are reported to be among the 140 confirmed fatalities,according to a Church statement issued Sept. 29. Not all Church membershave yet been accounted for following the heaviest rainfall in four decadesand the ensuing floods from the storm which struck Manila and surroundingareas Saturday, Sept. 26. More than 16 inches of rain fell in 12 hoursSaturday.

The total number of members affected is still being assessed, with allbut three stake and district presidents having been contacted by the timethe report was issued. Fifteen meetinghouses sustained water damage andothers are yet to be assessed, according to the Churchreport.

Associated Press

Floodvictims extend their arms to receive relief goods from a military truckafter water subsides Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 in suburban Cainta, east ofManila, Philippines. Weary victims of a tropical storm that unleashedworst flooding in more than a decades begun cleaning up their damagedhomes as rescue workers plucked more dead bodies from muddy floodwaters.

All missionaries are safe and accounted for and are joining with localmembers and others in clean-up efforts. Clothing and bedding donated bymembers in non-affected areas are being shipped to the disaster area. TheChurch has also purchased locally food, water, clothing, hygiene items andother relief supplies for distribution to members and others.

Of the 24 metro Manila stakes and two other stakes affected, 14 havebeen able to respond to their own needs.

Associated Press

Inthis photo released by the Philippine Air Force, some parts of Caintatownship, east of Manila, Philippines, remain flooded three days aftertropical storm Ketsana brought the worst flooding in metropolitanManila in more than 40 years Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.

Associated Press

Two women start to clean up the mess brought by flooding Tuesday, in suburban Quezon City north of Manila, Philippines.

At one point, 80 percent of Manila was submerged by the flooding, thereport stated, adding that more than 115,000 are living in makeshiftshelters.

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During the meeting, President Eyring spoke on the enduring legacy of ReliefSociety, an organization that was founded in 1842.

“I will speak to you tonight of the great legacy those who went before youin the Relief Society have passed to you,” said President Eyring. “The partof the foundation they laid for you which seems to me most important andpersistent is that charity is at the heart of the society and was to comeinto the heart, to be part of the very nature, of every member.”

He said charity meant to early Latter-day Saint women far more than afeeling of benevolence. “Charity is born of faith in the Lord Jesus Christand is an effect of His Atonement working in the hearts of the members.There are many benevolent groups of women who do great good. There are manywho have overpowering feelings of sympathy for the unfortunate, the sickand the needy. But this organization is unique and has been from itsstart.”

The foundation of the organization – “charity never faileth” — is at thecenter of the work, he said. “It served them at the beginning; it servedthem in the great period that followed; it serves them now in a new time;and it will serve the Relief Society in all the periods ahead.”

President Eyring said the Relief Society is composed of women whosefeelings of charity spring from hearts “changed by qualifying for and bykeeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true church.”

“Their feelings of charity come from Him through His atonement. Their actsof charity are guided by His example and come out of gratitude for Hisinfinite gift of mercy and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompanyHis servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have doneand are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even whentheir own unmet needs are great.”

President Eyring said the history of Relief Society is filled with accountsof such remarkable selfless service.Early Latter-day saint women “came from a great diversity of circumstances.All faced the universal trials and heartaches of life. Their determinationborn of faith to serve the Lord and others seemed to take them not aroundthe storms of mortal life but into them.

“Some were young and some old. They were from many lands and peoples as youare today. But they were of one heart, one mind, and with one intention.They were determined to help the Lord build His Zion.”President Eyring said the love of God dwelt in the hearts of early membersof the Relief Society.

Then, he said, because of hard circumstances, for nearly four decades,Relief Society ceased to function as a Churchwide organization. After thatperiod, Brigham Young called Eliza R. Snow to assist bishops in organizingRelief Societies.

“The record of Relief Society shows that when the leaders approached thesisters across the Church to begin again formal Relief Society work theyfound that charity in their hearts was undiminished. They had continued toreach out in mercy to those in need. For those who stayed faithful to theircovenants, the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ, had endured. Itwas still theirs.”

In the years that followed, the Relief Society grew in numbers and in powerto serve those in need, said President Eyring. The women created a smallhospital and supported women in going to the east to get medical trainingto staff it. They began the worldwide Church social services programs. Theycreated a grain storage system. They organized the Primary and Young Womenorganizations. And the Relief Society was at the heart of the beginning ofthe Church’s power to give humanitarian aid across the world.

President Eyring said it is clear from the record that the Lord was in thework with the women of the first period of Relief Society. “He prospered itand they felt joy and light.”

President Eyring said it must have been hard for Relief Society sisterswhen the Lord led them to another season. The hospital system, for example,was handed to others as the women had faith that the Lord saw a greaterneed for their service elsewhere.

“A precious part of your Relief Society heritage is that same faith in thehearts of the leaders and the members of the Relief Society. The Lord hadknown where their great talents would be needed in the next season andwhere they would find an even greater joy than in the wonderful enterprisesthey had begun and built.”For a new season, the Lord provided a way to provide succor and comfortacross the Church. This would come as two sisters would accept theirassignment to visit another as a call from the Lord, he said.“The members of the Relief Society have always been trusted by localpriesthood shepherds. Every bishop and every branch president has a ReliefSociety president to depend upon. She has visiting teachers who know thetrials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know thehearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishopin his call to nurture individuals and families.

“A wonderful part of the heritage of Relief Society is evident in the waythe priesthood has always shown respect and received it from the ReliefSociety in turn. I have seen it as you have.”President Eyring then asked the worldwide congregation to pass “thismarvelous and sacred legacy of Relief Society” on to those who will followthem.

“It will take small and simple things. Just remember that it is passed fromheart to heart. Charity, the pure love of Christ, is part of the mightychange of heart which the Lord promises to His faithful disciples.”

Ultimately, he said, Relief Society members pass their heritage along asthey help others receive the gift of charity in their hearts. “They willthen be able to pass it to others.”******************************************************* As far as my personal opinion, I know that the Relief Society and all that are in it, are inspired of righteous Priesthood Leaders and are given revelation not only as Mothers, but also as leaders. I have seen many wonderful examples of how this program is truly inspired of God. Sister Black was inspirational to me. She always did what she could, and seemed to exceed the need requested. I have also seen that calling of the Relief Society Branch Presidency change and inspire others. Sister Sharp is wonderfully dedicated, and I see the Spirit with her in all she does, and know her counselors are very inspired. Even women whom are simply regular members of the Relief Society, show that charity doesnt stop at callings, but outside of everything we do in church, charity should be clearly visible – I say that a miraculous example of this, whom now is my inspiration (As a dedicated Teacher) Sister Masters shows us all, how much our spiritual investment of time and study, will definativly increase our Spiritual Stock; May the Lord continue to guide us all!

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Church Responds to Flooding in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES28 September 2009 Tropical storm Ketsana struck the Philippines on Saturday, 26 September 2009, triggering the heaviest rainfall in forty years and causing significant flooding.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing food, water, clothing, hygiene items and other relief supplies which are being purchased locally and distributed to those in the affected region. Local Church members and missionaries are assisting with clean-up efforts. Church members in nonaffected areas of the Philippines are mobilizing to donate clothing and bedding as Church leaders continue to monitor the situation.

Of the 140 confirmed fatalities, 24 Church members have been reported dead with others still missing. The total number of members affected by the flooding is still being assessed, however all Church missionaries are safe and accounted for.

Fifteen Church meetinghouses have suffered water damage, with others still yet to be assessed.

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May I extend my warmest regards to President Martinez. Im sure his joy is full, im sure he has had the great pleasure of knowing that his example can be seen, even generations down the road. I feel greatly favored in my own personal life through his love and guidance as our Elders Quorum President. I feel that with him, with Brother Calderon, Brother Olmsted, Brother Derrick, Brother Guinn, Brother Stewart, Brother Baab, Brother Sharpe, Brother Kelly, Brother Montoya, Brother Gagne, Brother West, Brother Brunkhorst, Brother Mayberry and the other great brethren who have joined us in the Elders Quorum and have rejoiced in the building up of Zion in our hearts, at church, and even at home!

The change came in my life from a great group of wonderfully motivated Elders; I’ll never forget their names, ever. Elder Tripp, Elder Philpot, Elder Rusk, Elder Colton, Elder Gibb!

Also, before our current Branch Presidency was the running administration, all of the men inside were greatly influential to me as well; President Williams & President Porter have had a substantial influence in my life (As well as Sister Porter); Both President Sharp and Longoria also have been a profound influence for good, and I must thank them also. All of these before mentioned individuals as well as the High Priest whom Ordained me to the Melchizedek Priesthood, my grandfather LLoyd M. Beardsley, whom I have had the joy of ordaining me to every office I have held in the Priesthood. He has been frequently praying to the Lord, along with my Grandma Beardsley, petitioning the Lord to intervene on my behalf- The Lord has. Im greatful for every Brother and Sister in this Gospel I have; Again President, congrats!

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Well brethren, It has been a spiritually uplifting week for me. It truly has. In the interest of preservation of the way I have the lesson set up, I wont write about the past week I have had, until after tomorrow. I have had help from the Savior it seems, even more than I can ever recall previously. I will tie this into the lesson, and then of course will post all that information after tomorrow…

But, like the title to this blog, the main lds.org webpage shows now this addition about a site dedicated to, and about the topic of hope. It must be something a lot of people struggle with, even more than many give actual attention to. That site again, is, “Finding Hope” (Click)

Until tomorrow brethren, I pray the Spirit of The Lord attend you all.

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Brothers & Sisters, It would be delightful for me,
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